The Defendant, Jalen Skakur Biggs, having been found guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, and Aggravated Assault on November 2, 2023, had his sentencing hearing at the Haralson County Courthouse on Monday, January 8, 2024, at 9:30am, in front of Chief Judge Mark Murphy.

After having had a pre-sentence investigation conducted by the Department of Community Supervision, and the report being provided to the Court and all parties, the hearing was held with witnesses testifying on both sides.  The State called the murder victim’s father, mother, sister, and brother to testify in person.  Each family member asked the Court to render a sentence of Life without the possibility of parole.  The Defendant called several family members and a former employer via zoom to ask the Court for the Defendant to receive a sentence of Life with the possibility of parole.

Judge Murphy, after hearing from both sides, made the decision to sentence Jalen Biggs to life without the possibility of parole for the February 22, 2021, murder of Keith Basham.  This case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Sarah Japour, along with Assistant District Attorney Robert Peterkin and Victim Advocate Melanie McCarty and Assistant District Attorney Alison Karch.  Japour stated, “We are grateful for all the people and agencies involved in seeking justice for the victim in this case and hope that this sentence, while never bringing the victim back, will give the family some peace and closure going forward.”